So Far, So Good For NHS Volleyball Team

By Andy Hutchison

MONROE — Newtown High School’s girls’ volleyball team, despite taking on a new look with only a pair of seniors and the rest of the team chock full of sophomores, got off to a “better than expected” start, in the words of the coach.

Sure, Newtown Coach Tom Czaplinski, coming in, had high expectations for his team.

The coach, despite the high turnover and amount of youth on his squad, said during preseason that he was striving for the Nighthawks to build on last year’s 17-1 regular season and runner-up finish in the South-West Conference Tournament. But the coach thought it might take some time for the young lineup to gel.

It is only one match, but the September 16 season-opening 3-0 win at Masuk High in Monroe gives the Hawks plenty of reason to be optimistic for a successful campaign.

“I think we did really well for our first game,” sophomore Alyssa Finkenstadt said.

Czaplinski said the team will have to work on its passing and communication, the two key areas that he believes will lead to success, but that he was happy with the start to the campaign.

Senior captain Megan Casey compiled 12 kills and five digs, senior captain Carolyn Fagan had 14 digs and six kills.

Abbey Doski, the only other returnee, in addition to the seniors, who saw significant varsity action a year ago, contributed 16 assists and recorded five serving aces. Emma Herring had four kills and seven aces.

“I was kind of nervous at first, but once we started talking and working together I was really excited to keep playing,” Herring said.

Jess Lynch had ten assists in a well-balanced effort.

“Everyone on the team is so talented,” Fagan said. “I think we played together really well and I was very pleasantly surprised by that.”

“I think for our first game that was good,” Casey added. “Now that the first game is over with, it will go a lot smoother.”

Newtown was scheduled to visit Joel Barlow on Wednesday (after The Bee sports section went to press).

The Nighthawks will visit Bunnell in Stratford on Friday, September 25, at 5:45 pm.

Newtown  welcome Bunnell for a rematch this coming Tuesday at 6:30 pm.